Washington, Oct. 6, 2017 (PAHO/WHO) – The Pan American Health Organization is focusing on quick delivery of expertise and supplies to islands affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, with a focus on Anguilla, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, and Turks and Caicos Islands, according to the Organization’s Department of Health Emergencies.

Hurricane Maria, made landfall on Dominica on evening of September 18, 2017 as a category 5 Hurricane. The Princess Margaret Hospital is reported to be severely damaged and flooded. Dialysis service damaged, and the electricity is down. Seven deaths have been reported on the island due to the storm.

Washington, Sept. 19, 2017 (PAHO/WHO)— Countries in the Caribbean continue implementing critical health response actions with support from the Pan American Health Organization, which is deploying Regional Response Teams and shipping medical and humanitarian supplies to islands affected by Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Heavy rain and wind continue to hit the Leeward Islands, including those already affected by Hurricane Irma.

On the forecast track of Hurricane Maria, currently a category 4 Hurricane, the center of the storm will move across the Leeward Islands late today and tonight, bringing heavy rain and wind to islands that were already impacted by Hurricane Irma.

In Anguilla, the Ann-Victoria Smith Polyclinic (Welches Polyclinic) is operational and will absorb patients of the Valley Health Center and Dental Unit which has closed due to major damage.

• Islands that suffered extensive damage to infrastructure continue to have challenges restoring access to electricity and clean water

• As some people continue to be in shelters one week after the passage of Hurricane Irma, continued access to clean water and good sanitary conditions is critical

• In Cuba, 13 of the 15 provinces were affected by the hurricane with 14 municipalities have been identified as heavily affected and 6 municipalities as in critical condition. Two hospitals in Havana were evacuated.

Washington, D.C,. September 7, 2017 (PAHO/WHO) — Countries in the Caribbean are assessing hurricane damage from Hurricane Irma and deploying sanitary engineers and other experts, with help from the Pan American Health Organization, to support recovery efforts in the most affected islands, even as the hurricane moves to other islands and toward the US mainland.

Hurricane IRMA, a Category 5 Hurricane formed in the Atlantic during the week of August 25th 2017. A
major Hurricane creating a multi-state threat; Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of the
Bahamas, Dominica, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos Islands and the Virgin Islands.

Washington, Sept. 6, 2017 (PAHO/WHO)—Countries in the Caribbean are deploying staff, activating emergency plans, and warning their citizens to prepare for Hurricane Irma, with assistance from the Pan American Health Organization, which has activated its Disaster Task Force and regional response teams throughout the Caribbean.

Bridgetown, Barbados – September 6, 2017: The United Nations System is deploying staff and assistance to meet the needs of vulnerable Caribbean citizens in the path of record-breaking Hurricane Irma. Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have unique economic, environmental and social vulnerabilities that are exacerbated in severe natural crises.

Since epidemiological week (EW) 44 of 2016, no additional countries or territories of the Americas have confirmed autochthonous, vector-borne transmission of Zika virus disease. To date, 48 countries and territories in the Americas have confirmed autochthonous, vectorborne transmission of Zika virus disease, while five countries have reported sexually transmitted Zika cases.

Since epidemiological week (EW) 44 of 2016, no additional countries or territories of the Americas have confirmed autochthonous, vector-borne transmission of Zika virus disease. To date, 48 countries and territories in the Americas have confirmed autochthonous, vectorborne transmission of Zika virus disease,while five countries have reported sexually transmitted Zika cases.

The following is a summary of the epidemiological situation by sub-regions.